Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 19 August 2023
The Member of Parliament for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, has called upon the Secretary (Power) of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to urgently address the ongoing power crisis that has left residents of Katchal Island in distress.
Highlighting the dire situation on Katchal Island, Mr. Sharma penned a letter to the Secretary (Power) outlining the severe power cuts that have plagued the island for nearly ten days. He expressed deep concern about the escalating power crisis, which has left residents grappling with extended periods of darkness.
According to Mr. Sharma, initially, the power interruptions lasted approximately eight hours, causing significant inconvenience to the island’s inhabitants. However, the situation took a grim turn recently when power cuts extended throughout the entire day, exacerbating the already challenging circumstances.
These prolonged power cuts, it is reported, stem from a shortage of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) oil on Katchal Island. Moreover, logistical delays in transporting the essential HSD oil from Port Blair to Katchal Island have further worsened the situation.
Katchal Island, situated in a remote and isolated location, already faces numerous geographical challenges. The residents have displayed remarkable resilience in dealing with these challenges over the years. However, the current scenario of daily power cuts lasting over 8 to 10 hours has intensified their hardships.
In light of these circumstances, Mr. Sharma urged the Secretary (Power) to intervene swiftly and resolve the issue. “It is imperative that the supply of HSD oil to Katchal Island is expedited to restore regular and uninterrupted power supply as soon as possible,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, Mr. Sharma called for the implementation of measures that would prevent similar delays in the future. “Ensuring a reliable and timely supply of essential resources like HSD oil to not only Katchal Island but also other remote islands is of paramount importance,” he stressed.